Improved methods of constructing columns



` as to fit against one another..

UNITED' STATES GEORGE WALTERS AND THOMAS SHAFFER, OF PHCENIXVILLE, PA.

lMPRovED METHo'os oF coNsTRucTlNe coLUMNs, ae.'

specification forming part o f Lettersratent No. 82,663, aerea septemter 29, 186s.

To all whom 'it may concern: Y

Be it known that we, GEORGE WALTERS and 'lrroMAs SHAFFER, of Phoenixville, in the ments formed of T-bars curved to the required form; Fig. 6 is a plan of a disk with rivets cast in it; Fig. 7 is an eleva-tion of the same;

- Fig. 8 is a transverse section, showing the seg ments formed of bars of angle-iron; Fig. 9 is an elevation .of a disk for same; Fig. 10 is a similar section of a colum-n formed of iia't bars beveled on the edges; Fig. 111 is a similarfsection of a column formed of cruciform bars;

, Fig. 12 is a similar section of acolumn formed of rounded segments; and Fig. 13 is an elevation of a column in which the bars are bent' outwardly to create aswell in themiddle.

The same letters are employed inthe desig- .nation'of corresponding parts in the various figures. v

Our invention relates to the method of connecting iron `bars of various forms,'so as to form a column of great strength, using for the Apurpose various forms of iron bars, butI enr-A ploying in all the, same general principles of construction, ashereinafter set forth. v

In the annexed drawings, a a. are iron bars or wrought plates', placed parallel with one another, and joined edge to edge, at least l.three being necessary forthe purpose. The

edges, when necessary, should be beveled so cast or wrought `iron disks, d, arev placed across' the space inclosed by the 'segmental' plates. l

The external .form of these disks will, of

course, be varied according to cireumstances,

so as to formbearingsfor the e f is.: segf ments by which they shall be .psitioir .When thedisks have been intr'dnced at `p'roperintervals, asfshown, the-bars being At intervals temporarily connedin their proper relativepositions, rivets c are passed through the disks or into them, and their headsformed on plates Vb b', which are placed on the outside of the column 'and over the joints., These plates may be either properly perforated wrought-iron bars, as shown in Fig. 1, extending the entire length of the column, or they may be washers, as shown in Fig. 13. v We prefer to use the bars for general purposes as presenting a neater finish; but where stay-rods (as in bridges) are to be passed through the columns. between.

the plates, it will be more convenient to use washers. One of these rivets or stay rods, as

seen in Fig. 2, may pass entirely through the column, and be used in conjunction with 'short ones driven intogthe` disk, which is properly constructed to receive them. The rivets 'may be cast into the disks, asl shown in Figs. 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12, in which case they should be grooved, as shown. When the rivets are inserted in the column they should be heated,

so that when the-head has been 'formed in countersinks in the plate or washer, the iron,

by shrinking in cooling, shall draw the parts v very rigidly together.

We have shown in Fig. 13 a lmode of constructin g the columns bybending thesegments to form a swell in the middle of the column.

"This may be done with any form of bars whenever desired.

The column when completedhas a pedestal i or cap, c, set nponeither end. lWhen-'itisused'as a shaft for' a pile to be driven into the A.

ground, itv is to be terminated by'a point, j`,. which maybe a conical point ofwrought-iron' tipped with steel, or the bodyof the pointmay be cast with a steel tip. I e y -We are aware that wrought-iron shafts have been constructed by placing bars parallel with 'each other and securing them-by hoops. We

are also aware that wooden c'olum'ns'have. been'l constructed by fastening the boards to a 'cen- Y I terby means of nails or screws. We do not, therefore, claim, broadly, for wrought-iron.

columns formed by bars fastened together, nor

for merely securing the plates or bars to a central disk.. ,Our improved columns are distinguished 'from all others byA their being constructed of longitudinal metallic bars or plates fastenedto-internaldisks .by bolts or rivets passing through 'external 'crampingbars or vwashers, and also throughthe plates intovthe internal disks.

We `make no claim, broadly, to Wroughtmetal columns or shafts, nor to, columns or l. In the construction of metallic columns and shafts, confining Wrought iron or steel plates between external cramping; bars or washersb b and internal metallic disks d d by rivets, upon or around which said disks have been cast,or which are attached thereto, Vand .I v'headed down upon the plate While hot,.so that the same, in shrinking, shall closely draw the.

plates to the disk, in the manner substantially as described.

2; In combination with the shaft constructed in the manner set forth, the pointed tip f,

for the purpose set forth.v p v In testimony whereof 'we have signed our names-to this specification in the presence of l two subscribing Witnesses.

(SrEORGE VIALEERS;m THOMAS SHAFFER. Witnesses:

IP. G. CAREY, E. L. C AsWELL. 

